I will be painfully honest: I am not afraid of death, but I am afraid of old age! I believe in eternal life and the resurrection of the dead. I don't believe that death is the end. The hope of resurrection gives me personal comfort in life and in death.
But I have seen firsthand the trials and tribulations of old age. The challenges that accompany the senior years overwhelm me. I can hardly picture myself weathering these challenges in a courageous way that honors God. I am, quite frankly, terrified when I think of growing older.
For this reason Joan Chittister's book, The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully, is a godsend for me. It has lifted my fears and given me hope for the future. Its one dominant theme is that the later years can be a blessing and not a burden when approached with faith, hope, and love. She convincingly argues that the spiritual task of later life is to twofold: to overcome the burdens of this new stage of life by embracing its unique blessings.
For an extended summary of some of her rich thoughts, click HERE.
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